1828 Census inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register

We are thrilled that records of the 1828 Census of NSW which we hold as part of the State Archives Collection have been inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register. This is wonderful national and international recognition of the State Archives Collection and our work in preserving and making accessible the State’s archives.

The 1828 Census was the first official census undertaken by NSW after it was found the Governor had no authority to compel free men to come to a muster – the previous means of counting the colony’s population.

Browse the alphabetical returns by surname

The Census covers some 36,500 inhabitants, both convict and free, and captures a social and economic picture of the Colony of NSW in November 1828, 40 years after the Colony’s establishment. It covers all settlements within the jurisdiction of the then colony of NSW including Moreton Bay and Norfolk Island,

It records such detailed information for each person (including children) as name, age, if free or convict, if born in the colony or ship and year of arrival, sentence if arrived as a convict, religion, employment, residence, district, total number of acres, acres cleared, acres cultivated, horses, horned cattle, sheep, and remarks.

A to Col

COL to GOR

GOR to LEN

LEN to POP

POP to TIG

TIL to ZEA

List of convicts allowed to officers, 1800

Convicts allowed to officers 1800

The List of Convicts Allowed to Officers 1800, an invaluable record which, along with the Settlers’ Muster Book, has been inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register

Settlers' muster book, 1800

Settlers’ Muster Book, 1800

The muster book provides a snapshot of life during this period of early European settlement. It is an invaluable record which has been inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register

Settlers' muster book, 1800

Settlers’ Muster Book, 1800

Museums of History NSW is pleased to be part of a collaboration with the NSW Parliamentary Library to digitise the Settlers’ Muster Book of 1800, an invaluable record which has been inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register

Blue Books (Returns of the Colony) 1822-57

Statistical returns of the Colony of New South Wales and of areas under its jurisdiction compiled annually from 1822 to 1857